THE CULTIVATOR. 
67 
°n the ground. It may be gaged to cut as high as the 
grain will admit, and the nine feet swath streams from 
the cradles to the thrasher so evenly that no more power 
is required to finish fifteen to tweenty acres a day, than 
is necessary to drive a common thrasher, which only 
thrashes say two hundred bushels in a day with many 
hands in attendanc. Respectfully, 
G. G. CARPENTER. 
Wheatland, March 11, 1840. 
Treatment of Sandy Soils. 
Messrs. Editors —Should you deem the following 
remarks, copied from a letter written by one farmer to 
another, in reply to some inquiries and in answer to 
some objections, worthy of a place in the columns of 
the Cultivator, they are at your service: X. Y. 
“Dear Sir —My reasons for supposing that in deep 
sandy soils, (or those in which silex predominates, to 
the exclusion of more tenacious materials,) much of 
the value of manure was lost by infiltration, or passing 
below the roots of plants, were the opinions of such 
practical and scientific men as Yon Thaer and Davy 
in Europe, and Jackson and others of our state geolo¬ 
gists, in this; observation of the operation of water on 
the soluble parts of manures, and the facility with 
which these parts are separated, and carried olf when 
the water is in excess, as is evident from the color of 
water in yards, and that which leaches from them ; and 
also from some personal experience in that class of 
soils. One part of the farm on which I many years 
since resided in New-England, was a tract of very light 
sand, which was cultivated according to the exhausting 
mode then in use, and which after I left passed into the 
hands of an old fashioned farmer, who has continued 
the system of cropping, until the land is now incapable 
of producing any thing, and is mostly a bare surface, or 
nearly so, of sand. In recommending a different course 
to him, a few years since—a different course founded 
on manure, clover, and plaster, his reply was, “ manure 
does no good, it sinks into the sand, and is lost to the 
plants on the surface.” Now, although I believe I 
could take those same sand plains, and in five years 
make them the most fertile part of the farm, yet, for 
the reasons already assigned, I have been inclined to 
believe that on porous, gravelly, or deep sandy soils, 
much of the benefit and value of manures was lost by 
sinking with the water beyond the reach of plants. It 
is the most active part of the manure, the salts, that 
are the most soluble, and hence the most liable to be 
lost. I may be mistaken, however, in some of my infe¬ 
rences, and in the British Husbandry, I find a remark 
that reminds me of the opinion expressed by your 
neighbor; viz. that on such soils the manure does not 
sink beneath the soil plowed; that work asserting that 
on the light sands of Belgium, their system of manur¬ 
ing and plowing, with their course of cropping, soon 
converts the sand into a rich soil as low as it is "stirred 
by the spade or plow. 
In the cultivation of what are termed sandy soils, ex¬ 
perience would seem to have taught European farmers, 
that it is better in most cases to form the manures into 
compost, than to apply it long or fresh. Their method 
of forming compost is to place a layer of sods, muck, 
or swamp earth, (the latter being considered very va¬ 
luable as containing usually a quantity of clay,) then a 
layer of fresh manure, then another of sods or earth, 
and then of manure, and thus to alternate until the re¬ 
quisite height is reached, and then it is left to ferment 
and rot. The covering of the heap is of turf, grass side 
down, as are all the sods used, to receive the wash or 
drainings of the manure. These piles are occassion- 
ally watered by urine, but this can be dispensed with. 
Where there is a deficiency of lime in the soil, or 
where the compost is to be used for grain crops, layers 
of lime are added to the heap, but these layers are not 
placed in contact with the manure, but between layers 
of sods or earth. These heaps of compost made in au¬ 
tumn are ready for use in the spring, and are applied 
to the crops or to the soil as is wanted for the purpose 
of the farm. I have some doubts whether compost 
heaps made in this way, in our climate, late in autumn, 
would decompose during our winters, so as to be fit for 
use in the spring, for root crops ; but if they would, I 
have no doubt it would be the best mode of manuring 
your land, or indeed almost any other: 
For myself, I think that rotted manure, as being more 
quickly felt by the plants, is better for roots than that 
which is long, though roots and corn are the only crops 
to which long or fresh manure should be applied. If 
ashes could be obtained, I should use them liberally, 
either in the compost heaps, or applied directly to the 
land. On sandy soils few things are more useful. A 
short time since in visiting a neighboring town, I ob¬ 
served a Mr. L. an excellent farmer, drawing manure. 
His method was to draw one load of stable manure, 
place it where wanted, and then go to an old ashery, and 
get a load of leached ashes, which was placed on the 
manure. In this way, the gases and volatile salts of 
the manure are kept from evaporation, and the salts 
that abound in ashes are incorporated with the manure. 
His system has produced some of the most beautiful fields 
of grain I have ever seen; and though his soil is not 
quite as sandy as yours, I have no doubt would succeed 
well with you. 
One difficulty in a soil constituted as is yours, is that 
it parts with moisture so readily, that manure if appli¬ 
ed fresh or long to a crop, is kept in so dry a state that 
decomposition is but slowly or partially effected, and 
the change of the earths that compose the surface, into 
soil, or rendered fertile, is not so complete or rapid, as 
when the proper degree of moisture is present; or the 
manure is rotted and made into compost before its ap¬ 
plication to the land. To this want of moisture, and 
consequent entire dryness of the manure in which they 
were planted, must be attributed the failure of the po¬ 
tatoes of which you spake to me. In our soils, that 
are so retentive, the difficulty, though more serious, is 
of an entirely different kind. We find it necessarry to 
lay our land, cultivated with roots or corn, into ridges, 
in which the manure is placed, and rare indeed is it to 
find that the manure is not decomposed at the time of 
digging the roots, or plowing after the corn. No mat¬ 
ter how near the surface, if covered at all, it rarely is 
found dry; and I think probable, that so far as decom¬ 
position is concerned, or the manure to be kept moist, 
(which is essential to its doing any good,) you would 
find much benefit from covering it a sufficient depth to 
prevent evaporation, and if possible, thus secure that 
proper degree of moisture, without which fermentation 
can not proceed. Deluged by water, as manures on too 
retentive soils frequently are, plants are very little be¬ 
nefited by them; without moisture, as they must some¬ 
times remain on very porous soils, they do not ferment, 
and while dry are comparatively useless. With us, 
under-draining and the use of means to give more dry¬ 
ness and friability, is what is required; with you, the 
giving greater tenacity and the power of retaining mois¬ 
ture, is the grand desideratum. , 
In the treatment of sandy soils, I should rely much 
upon the incorporation of clay with the surface, either 
in the shape of clay marl, or made into compost by 
mixing with manures in layers as above described. The 
capacity of this earth for retaining moisture, or rather 
its attraction for it, renders it one of the most effectual 
agents in benefiting soils that are too light; and very 
fortunately for the agriculturist, it most usually occurs 
in abundance near where it is wanted.* Ashes contain 
both clay and lime, and are therefore beneficial in two 
respects: they serve to assist sandy soils in retaining 
moisture; t,o correct acidity where it exists; (which, 
however, is not often the case with sandy soils, but is a 
characteristic of wet ones;) and they give sometime 
to soils, that sometimes are destitute, or nearly so, of 
that necessary ingredient. 
For myself, I should have no fears, were I the owner 
of a farm like yours, about making it capable, (were it 
not, as yours already is) of producing any kind of crop 
whatever. Most gladly would we, who work such hea¬ 
vy, tenacious, yet strong soils, exchange for such as are 
*Note by the Editors. The introduction of the above 
suggestion as to the importance of clay in the ameliorating 
of sandy soils, induces us to add an extract or two, illustrat¬ 
ing the manner of its use, as well as its value; the first will 
be from Prof. Emmons’ Geological Report of 1838. The 
Professor says, in using clays— 
The great point to be attended to is to secure a sufficient 
degree of fineness, that they may be incorporated with the 
soil, and form, strictly speaking, a constituent part of it. 
To attain this object it is necessary that they should be rais¬ 
ed in the autumn and placed in heaps, that they may be ex¬ 
posed to frost and the action of the atmosphere through the 
winter. To assist still further in the process of pulveriza¬ 
tion, it is better to mix them with barn-yard materials, 
straw, manure, and refuse of any kind, either animal or ve¬ 
getable. This course being pursued by them, they should 
be spread as evenly as possible on green sward, that they 
may enjoy the further benefits of air, moisture, &c. by direct 
exposure during the season. Besides, the grass in passing 
up through the layer will greatly assist in producing a com¬ 
minuted state. The succeeding season it is m a state to be 
plowed in, when it is duly prepared to become a constituent 
part of the soil. It is only in this way that the stiff and ad¬ 
hesive clays can be broken up, and prepared for incorpora¬ 
tion with the other earths.” * * * “ Most of the 
clays of this state are those which are marly; or which are 
combinations of clay and carbonate of lime. They are 
widely diffused, but their value is not highly appreciated. 
The time is not distant, however, wdien they wall be as 
highly esteemed as plaster. They have even one advan¬ 
tage over plaster, that their effects nre more lasting when 
they have had a due preparation.” Report, page 222. 
The other extract will be from Judge Buel’s Farmers’ 
Companion, and is particularly valuable as illustrating the 
manner in which, by the use of clay and skilful cultivation, 
he produced such an entire change in the character of the 
sandy parts of liis farm; 
v Our practice differs somewhat, from the recommendation 
of Professor Emmons. Our leisure time for drawing clay is 
generally in the winter, and we are enabled to obtain it at 
this season from the clay banks in Albany. We do not 
place it in piles or mix it with other materials; but scatter it 
immediately from the wagon upon the sward, as evenly as 
its adhesive properties will permit. In this way it becomes 
better exposed to the ameliorating influence of the weather. 
The frosts arid the rains break down the lumps; and when 
the clay has afterwards become dried, it is readily pulveriz¬ 
ed by the maul or roller, and distributed by the harrow.” 
Page 42. 
The quantity of clay required to impart tenacity to a sandy 
soil is comparatively small; and among the many farms in 
the older settled parts of our country, that have been pro¬ 
nounced worthless, if not abandoned, as light sand, we scarce¬ 
ly know of one where the materials for rendering them 
retentive, and of course valuable, were not at hand. Sandy 
soils, if not based on clay, usually abound with what are 
called swamp-lioles, ponds, or marshes, and these from time 
immemorial, have been the receptacles of vegetable matter, 
and that they contain clay, the presence of the water is the 
most conclusive proof. Let no farm be abandoned because 
it is sandy, until careful examination has proved that the 
proper article, and the cheapest, for its amelioration, does 
j not exist in the vicinity. 
more friable. Did it not already exist, any degree of 
fertility can be easily imparted to yours; while freedom 
from moisture, and friability, and ease of working, are 
not, without expense and difficulty, given to ours. I 
must venture another hint: your situation and that of 
your farm, is most suitable for instructive experiment; 
you have the means and the inclination to make them; 
and I hope that in instituting them, a record of the 
whole will be kept, that others may be benefited as 
well as yourself. There is another important point. 
Have you ascertained, by analysis, the kind and pro¬ 
portion of earths in your soil? If not, Professor D. or 
B. would doubtless analyze a specimen for you. You 
would need to take the earth from a little below the 
surface, where it has not been manured, or is in its* na¬ 
tural state. If taken from several places, thoroughly 
mixed, and the specimen to be analyzed taken from this 
mass, the result would give a very satisfactory average. 
Almost any one can determine the proportions of sand, 
lime, and clay in the soil, but the detection of the salts, 
or the oxides, is a more difficult and delicate matter. 
____S. D.” 
Burhams vs. Devonshires. 
Messrs. Editors —Permit a subscriber to make a re¬ 
mark or two on an article in your December number, 
recommending Devonshire Cattle in preference to the 
Durham. I would first observe that the recommenda¬ 
tion comes under no responsible signature; the assumed 
one of “ Phelim ,” is no guaranty for the good faith, dis¬ 
interestedness or soundness of the advice, and in a mat¬ 
ter of such importance, the incurring the vast expense 
of changing one high priced breed for another, we 
should at least know in whose judgment and experience 
we are asked to confide. In general, it would heighten 
the character of your publication, if all your corres¬ 
pondents were required to give their names, with their 
communications, but more especially where facts are 
stated or advice volunteered. 
Phelim informs us that among northern farmers, the 
Durham cattle are considered “not adapted to the climate, 
the pasture not sweet or rich enough, and the winters 
too cold or severe.” He then asks “whether it wmuld 
not be a good plan to buy some other breed that will 
keep on short pasture and stand our severe winters ?” 
Admitting his premises, the answer to this inquiry 
w r ould undoubtedly be in the affirmative; but it seems 
to me that in pitching upon the Devonshires as a substi 
tute, he could not have made a worse choice among all 
the known breeds of improved cattle. I will admit that 
the latter being a lighter breed may exist on shorter 
commons., but why does he expect them to possess more 
hardiness than the Durhams ? Is it because his favorites 
derive their origin from the mild relaxing climate of De¬ 
vonshire, where myrtles and oranges endure, almost 
without protection, what can hardly be called a winter, 
while their rivals from their birth are accustomed in 
their native county Durham to face the blasts of the 
frozen North Sea, or has any legerdemain (we know 
the arts of cattle breeders are wonderful,) transformed 
the delicate constitution of the Devons into something 
like that of the Arctic Bear? 
In other respects Phelim has not given an exaggera¬ 
ted description of this celebrated stock, but I must have 
better evidence than unsupported assertion before I can 
believe that they excel the Durhams in ruggedness of 
constitution. In our southern states, the Devons would 
probably find a congenial climate, while the improved 
Durhams, mingling the blood of the Flemish and native 
British races, have all the predisposition that descent 
can give to make them hardy, and to fit them for our 
own rigorous seasons. In evidence of this, we see them 
extending themselves even into the Scottish territory, 
whilst the other (Devons) are never attempted. If a 
change becomes necessary, wmuld it not be better to 
take them from a more northern than a more southern 
district. With this view, I do not recommend, but I ven¬ 
ture to direct public attention to the far-famed Ayr¬ 
shire breed, as possessing all the qualities Phelim pre¬ 
sumes the Devons to possess, except perhaps, their pe¬ 
culiar fitness for the draught, while they are altogether 
superior as a dairy stock. I do not surrender the Dur¬ 
hams, however, where they are not stinted in their sum¬ 
mer pasturage or starved during winter upon straw, and 
the following instance will show that they rank high as 
draught cattle; a pair of Durham steers raised by the 
late Mr. Brentnall of Goshen, have in one day gone 
from that village to the Landing at Cornwall, a distance 
of about 20 miles, and returned the same day with a 
load! 
One point of conceded superiority the Durhams pos¬ 
sess which has not been touched upon ; that of early 
maturity/Phelim confesses that the cows of the Devon¬ 
shire stock are smaller than the bull; this is a disad¬ 
vantage, and hence their calves as far as my experience 
goes are small, puny and of slow growth, requiring at 
least one year more than the Durhams before they are 
fit to breed. 
Having thus freely criticised one comlnunication, can 
I be forgiven for a further trespass, by animadverting 
on the article headed “ Saltpetre in meat,” from the pen 
of an old friend, the ingenious and learned Professor 
Rafinesque? Is not his alarm about that “deadly poi¬ 
son” which we administer to the community in our 
hams and other salted meats, entirely gratuitous ? Ni¬ 
tric acid is indeed a most corrosive ingredient, but 
when combined with potassa, and become a neutral salt, 
why is it more dangerous than common table salt, which 
is a compound of soda and muriatic acid, the latter 
quite as formidable as aquafortis in an uncombined 
